Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?

I chose to pursue graduate studies because I want to delve deeper into issues related to democracy and governance that matter to me. Academic research allows creativity and autonomy in investigating these problems, which is not available to the same extent in other career paths.

Why did you decide to study at UBC?

UBC is a leading research university in Canada and is connected to the world. It welcomes students and scholars from all horizons to share their knowledge and perspectives on academic research and important issues at the local or global level.

What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?

The political science graduate program offers many research opportunities and the possibility to work with scholars who are at the leading edge of research in their field. It is both challenging and very stimulating to work with scholars who are passionate about advancing knowledge and methods in their field.

What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?

As an outdoors enthusiast, I was pleased to discover the breadth of the activities one can do around Vancouver, from the long running routes on the beaches that surround the city to hiking, snowboarding and climbing in the mountains nearby, to mention only a few. UBC also has very well-organized and active outdoors club.

What advice do you have for new graduate students?

Getting overwhelmed with work is made easy by the rather unstructured nature of the tasks involved in graduate studies. Don’t push yourself to work so much as to neglect your social life and your health. Outdoors activities and physical exercise in general has helped me reach a certain balance that makes me both more productive and healthier mentally and physically.

Learn more about Sarah's research

While the surging growth of communication and diversification of media platforms in the last decades have created new opportunities for democratic deliberation, it has also enhanced the strategic character of political communication. My research aims at understanding how political institutions and different types of media influence the quality of political communication during electoral campaigns and affect voter behavior. My dissertation seeks to answer two broad questions: What are the institutional conditions that favour ambiguity in candidates’ messages about their positions on policy issues? How does uncertainty about candidates’ policy positions affect the vote decision process? The possibility of ambiguity as an optimal electoral strategy has important implications for democratic accountability, as it undermines voters’ ability to make an informed choice and to commit the government to a clear policy program.